Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499
Metalectra discalis
This record describes Metalectra discalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing ground color pale yellowish but often obscured by extensive dark brown and black mottling; broad blackish band crosses wing in median area, obscuring black reniform spot; black orbicular dot usually more noticeable against paler band across wing just outside AM line; basal and AM lines scalloped, usually noticeable; reniform spot occupies basal portion of indistinct ring extending almost to PM line, and a dot similar in size and color to orbicular dot lies near distal margin of this ring; paler band crosses wing just inside PM line, which is an indistinct series of pale dots; terminal line a series of whitish dots adjacent to dark fringe; hindwing similarly colored but lacks basal and AM lines a light form (apparently less common) has most of wing covered by pale yellowish ground color, contrasting against blackish band crossing wing in median area
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Boletobiinae
- Tribe
- Boletobiini
- Genus
- Metalectra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
deciduous and mixed forests
Geographic Range
Quebec and Maine to Florida, west to Texas and Missouri, north to Ontario
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August in the north; May to September in the south
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on fungi
Life History
Life Cycle images: larva on mushroom, larva, pupa, adult, spent pupa in cocoon
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Metalectra discalis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , anitagould , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499
What is Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499?
Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499 (Metalectra discalis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499?
wingspan 20-29 mm
How do you identify Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499?
Adult: forewing ground color pale yellowish but often obscured by extensive dark brown and black mottling; broad blackish band crosses wing in median area, obscuring black reniform spot; black orbicular dot usually more noticeable against paler band across wing just outside AM line; basal and AM lines scalloped, usually noticeable; reniform spot occupies basal portion of indistinct ring extending almost to PM line, and a dot similar in size and color to orbicular dot lies near distal margin of this ring; paler band crosses wing just inside PM line, which is an indistinct series of pale dots; terminal line a series of whitish dots adjacent to dark fringe; hindwing similarly colored but lacks basal and AM lines a light form (apparently less common) has most of wing covered by pale yellowish ground color, contrasting against blackish band crossing wing in median area
Where is Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | deciduous and mixed forests |
| Range | Quebec and Maine to Florida, west to Texas and Missouri, north to Ontario |
What does Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499 eat?
The diet of the Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499 includes larvae feed on fungi.
When is Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499 active?
Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August in the north; May to September in the south.
What is the life cycle of a Common Fungus Moth - Hodges#8499?
Life Cycle images: larva on mushroom, larva, pupa, adult, spent pupa in cocoon